Safety cut-out



1932- D. N. LANGHQFFER ET AL 6 SAFETY CUT-OUT Filed Jan. 9,- 1931 INVENTORS Darid/KLan%ho 7z-r li'lennl' OWell Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DAVID N. LANG-HOFFEB'AND GLENN T. HOWELL, 0F PORTLAND, OREGON- SAFETY cur-our Application filed January 9, 1931. Serial No. 507,691.

for its primary object to provide, in a man ner as hereinafter set forth, a cutout which will conveniently enable the driver ofthe vehicle at'any time, in emergency orotherwise to instantly cut outithe electrical current to the wiringof the vehicle, aeroplane or vessel thus eliminating any possibility of the .due to short circuiting, shock, as well as opening the circuit to the ignition wires whereby ig-' nition will be entirely cut off.

A further object of the invention is to provide, a safety cutout so constructed and arranged to prevent the blowing out of lights when a current is being developed from a generator operating when the outouthas been shifted tocutout position.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a safety cutout for the purpose referred to and including means for automatically grounding a-nd'immediately killing a current developed from a generator driven from a motor on an automotive vehicle operating after the cutout has been shifted to and when it is in cutout position thereby overcoming the blowing out of lights by flash due to the generated current. I

A further object of the invention isto provide a cutout for the purpose referred to to preventthe breaker points being burned up when the cutout is shiftedto cutout position by providing a ground'for a current developed from a generator if the vehicle with which the generator is associated was running faster than twelve miles an hour whereby such current is-immediately killed and the generator motor stopped without doing any damage whatsoever.

Further objects of the invention are to provide. in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a safety cutout which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,

thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated for the purpose intended, readily installed in the desired position, positive. in its action and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists-of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1' is a vertical sectional view of the safety cutout in accordance with this invention illustrating the same clamped-to a support or hanger therefor. I

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of a safety cutout in accordance with this invention and with the device illustrated in circuit closing position.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 with the device shown in cutout position.

Figure 4 is an inverted planof a safety cut out in accordance with this invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the form of guide member employed.

Figur 6 is a. perspective view of a contact element common to a positive lead and a ground lead.

Asafety cutout in accordance with this invention is independent of the starting switch of the automotive vehicle. The normal-position of the cutout is that for closing I and with the flanges of the latter secured support and it is provided with an opening 2.

The cutout includes a rectangular casing referred to generally as 3 and which comprises a body portion formed of a bottom t, a pair of side walls 5, 6 and a pair of end walls 7, 8. The casing 3 also includes a flanged top 9 a Snugly engaging with the inner faces of the said side and end Walls at the bottom of the latter and seated upon the upper face of the bottom 4 isa fiat, rectangular slab 12 of non-conductingmaterial and of the desired thickness. Positioned upon each side of the upper face of the slab 12 and extending from the latter to the inner face of top 9 is a vertically disposed, lengthwise grooved, rectangular guide member 13 of non-conducting material. Preferably the. width ofeach member 13 will correspondto the width of 1 ly secured together.

slab 12. The members 13 are positioned against thezrinner faces of said side walls at the vertical centers thereof and are also positioned upon the slab 12 centrally with respect to the sides of the upper face of such slab. The groove in each member 13 is indicated at 1 1, is disposedcentrally thereofand: is of. a length to terminate at each end of the memher. The lower end-of each member 13 is formed with a pair of sockets 15 and which engage holdfast devices 16 which extend up through the bottom 4,- through theslab 12 and engage in the sockets 15 whereby the bottom 4:, slab 12 and guide members 13 are fixedv Arranged within the casing 3 and seated on the slab 12 is a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed angle-shaped contact elements or members indicated generally at 17, 17 The element 17 includes avertical and a horizontal leg 18, 19 respectively. The'element 17 includes avertical and a horizontalleg 18',

19 respectively. The leg 18 of element 17 is commonto the'positive lead from thebattery and to a ground lead and when the cutout is shifted to cuto ut position provides a ground for a. current developed from a generator when the vehicle with which the generator is associated is travelling faster than twelve miles an'hour. The ground forthe current 1S mmediately provided when the cutout is sh fted to cutout position,this immediately kills'the current developed from the'generator and stops the motor for'the latter. By this action the breaker points are prevented from being burned out and. resulting in'thc non-blowing out of the lights by flashing. The part of the cutout with which the leg 18 associates to provide the ground will be presently referred to. V

The leg 18 is of materially greater length than leg 18 and extends to a point in proximity to the top 9., The leg 18 between its transverse median and upper endis formed with an inset part 18 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The legs 18 and 18 are resilient. The vertical legs 18,18 project upwardly from the inner ends of'the horizontal legs 19, 19res'pectively. The upper end of leg 19 is .inwardlyextended as at 20. Secured upon each horizontal leg is'a block 21 of conducting material and which is of a width greater than the width of a vertical or a horizontal le Theblocks 21 are of less height than the vertical legs. The legs 19, 19 are normally spaced from the inner ends of the blocks 21.

The blocks 21 do not engage or abut the walls 7,8 of the casing, but are insulated therefrom as at 22. V

. Each end wall of easing 3, near the lower end thereof is formed with an opening 23. Anchored in each block 21 is aterminal for one ofthe sections of the positive lead which extends from the battery to the starting switch. Theterminals are indicated at 24, 25, the former is adapted to have attached thereto that section of the positive lead which extends from the cutout to the starting switch of the vehicle. The terminal 25 is adapted to have attached thereto that section of the positive lead which extends from the battery to the cutout- The terminals 21,25 project a substantial distance from the end walls of casing 3. Mounted on, each terminal is a collar of non-conducting material which extends I through an opening 23 and abuts and is connected to'insulation 22 of a block 21.

u The cutout includes a circuit closing and opening element which comprises a head 27 of conducting material having extending therethrough and projecting therefrom a guide pin 28 which operates in the groove 14 of the guide members 13. Secured to the head 27 is a shank or stem 29 of non-conducting material which passes through opening 11 V in top 9. The shank 29 is of thedesired length and has its outer'end provided with a handle piece or button 30.

Extending through the opening 2 in support 1 and secured to top 9 by theholdfast devices 31, is a sleeve 32 of non-conducting material having its periphery at the outer portion'thereof threaded as at 33. Engaging with the threads 33 and binding against the support 1 is a retaining nut 34, which coactslin connection with the top 9 to clamp casing 3 to support 1. 1 Depending from the inner face of the top 9, ,as well as being securedthereagainstby the holdfast devices 31 is'a pair of oppositely disposed latches 35, 3.5, the. former coacts with leg 18 and the latter coacts withthehead 27 for detachably retaining the circuiti'opening and closing, element in circuit. opening position with respect to the positive. lead fr m the, battery. The latch alsocoacts with position and the ground is maintained while head 27 is held in such position.

Normally head 27 is engaged with elements 17, 17 for the purpose of closing the ignition Z0 circuit but if it be desired to open the latter for any reason head 27 is then shifted to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and which is clear of element 17 under such conditions the ignition circuit is opened.

The cutout when used is a protection against fire as it controls the general ignition circuit. The danger of fire is always present in automobiles where the ignition in the car is alive, even if the ordinary dash switch is 80 disconnected. Although the cutout is referred to as being interposed in the positive lead, yet it is to be understood that it can be interposed in the negative lead. Preferably the cutout will be positioned as near as 85 possible to the source of electrical energy, that is the battery. The cutout can be positioned on'the vehicle at some concealed point and arranged whereby the ignition circuit will be open, under certain conditions providing a 40 lock for the vehicle. It can also be used to prevent leak in the battery when the vehicle is not in use in case of a short circuit.

After the ordinary switch is turned off, there is still a possibility of leakage on the top of the generator which is a dead drain on the battery and this generally causes 7 5% of the battery trouble. The cutout in accordance with this invention will prevent such leakage. The cutout also acts as a protector when anyone is employed to work on the ignition of the motor of a vehicle, as the ignition circuit can be entirely out out. It also functions as a safety by providing the ground for the purpose referred to.

It is thought that the many advantages of a safety cutout in accordance with this invention for the purpose set forth can be readily understood, although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What we claim is 1. A safety cutout including a casing, means spacedconducting blockswithin the casing guide members of insulation material for said head and anchored in the casing. 2.v A safety cutout comprising a casing, oppositely disposed, spaced terminals insulated from and extending from said casing for interpositionin a battery lead, spaced conducting blocks within and insulated from said casing and anchored to said terminals, spaced, opposed contact members carried by said blocks and insulated from said casing, one of said members being of greater length than the other, contact means, and a shiftable 3 circuit opening and closing element operating in the casing and includinga head of conducting material engageable simultaneously, when'shifted inone direction with said'contact members for closing said headv and coacting simultaneously when shifted in the other direction with said'elon-gated contact member and said contact means to provide a ground.

3. A safety cutout comprising a casing, oppositely disposed, spaced terminals insulated from and extending from said casing for interposition in a battery lead, spaced con ducting blocks within and insulated from said casing and anchored to said terminals, spaced, opposed contact members carried by said blocks and insulated from said casing, a shiftable. circuit opening and closing element operating in the casing and including a head of conducting material engageable with said contacts for closing said lead, and guides of insulation within said casing to said element. 4. A safety cutout including a casing, means connected thereto, and coacting therewith for anchoring-it in position, a pair of terminals insulated and extending from said casing for interposition in. a battery lead, opposed, spacedconducting blocks within'the casing and connected to said terminals, contact members connected to the blocks and including opposed, spaced resilient legs normally spaced rom the blocks, means for insulating said blocks and members from said casing, a shiftable circuit opening and closing element including a head of conducting material coacting with said legs to close said lead, guide members of insulation material for said head and anchored to the casing, and latches for retaining said element in circuit opening position, one ofsaidcontact members being ex tended and coacting with one of the latches to provide a ground.-

5. A safety cutout comprising a casing,

oppositely disposed, spaced terminals insulated'from and extending from said'casing for interposition in a battery lead, spaced conducting blocks within and insulated from 1 aicurrentfrom' a generator when said mechanism'is shifted tocircuit open position;

In testimony whereof, We aflizrour signatures hereto. 1

GLENN T; HOWELL.-

said casing and anchored to said terminals, 1' 1 spaced; opposed contact members carried by said blocks and insulated from said casing, 2

a shiftable circuit opening and closing element operating in the casing and including a head of conducting materialengageable with sald contacts for closing said lead, latches for re- 7 taming said element 1n circu t opening pos1- 7 tion, and one of said contact members being extended and coacting with one of thelatches 'to' provide a ground.

6. A safety cutout comprising a casing oppositely disposed, spaced terminals insulated fromand extending from said casing for interposition in a battery lead, spaced conducting blocks Within and insulated from said casing and anchored to said terminals, spaced, opposed contact members carried by said blocks and insulated from said casing, a shiftable circuit opening and closing element operatingin the casingand including ahead of conducting material engageable withgsai'd oontactsfor closing said lead, guides of in-V sulation within said casing to said element,

latches for retaining said element in circuit opening position, and one-of said contact members being extended and coacti'ng with V oneof the latches to provide a ground.

'7. A safety cutout comprising spaced ter- 7 minals for interposition in a battery lead and each including a resilient contact, circuit opening and closing means coacting with said contacts'and including a shiftable head'of conducting material engageable with said contacts, when shifted in one direction to close said lead, and means coaoting with one spaced ternormally open the leadand each including i a contact, means coacting with the contacts for closing and opening the lead and including a shiftable head,"'and means engagedby one of saidcontacts shifted by said head to provide a ground for a current from a generator when the lead is open.

9. A safety cutout including a shiftable 7 battery circuit opening and closing mechas n1sn1, said mechanism includinga pair of spaced. terminals for interpositionjn a battery lead and simultaneously engaged by said mechanism, when the later is shifted in one direction to close said lead, and means engaged by one of'said terminals and controlled by said mechanism to provide aground for "DAVID NQLANGHOFFER. 

